Expressing hyperbola equations

[Andiio]

Just a minor question, but for example:

If they asked:

Express 3x^2+18x-y^2+4y+11=0 in the form (x-h)^2/a^2 - (y-k)^2/b^2 = 1, would you have to express your denominators exactly like a^2 or b^2? e.g. if a^2 was 4, would you have to express it exactly as 2^2?

And if you did do that, would you lose any marks if it wasn't required?

[Special At Specialist]

That's a difficult question...
My teacher took away marks when I expressed something as (x + 3)^2 instead of (x - - 3)^2, since I had to express it as (x - h)^2.
I would do it just incase. I don't think you can lose any marks for writing (x - - 3)^2, but there is a possibility that you could lose marks for writing (x + 3)^2.

[Truck]

In GMA you don't, so I'd assume you wouldn't in specialist.

Edit: Yeah, pretty sure keeping it in the expanded form of a^2 and b^2 is actually more correct.

[Greatness]

That's a difficult question...
My teacher took away marks when I expressed something as (x + 3)^2 instead of (x - - 3)^2, since I had to express it as (x - h)^2.
I would do it just incase. I don't think you can lose any marks for writing (x - - 3)^2, but there is a possibility that you could lose marks for writing (x + 3)^2.

If the question asks you to express your answer a certain way then you have to, so it depends what the question asks.

But i dont think vcaa are that strict about it? hyperbola questions are usually only on MC tho